Page 35 of August 20

Skye kissed the kitten and handed her back. "Is she a good momma?"

"Yeah, kid. She is."

"Does she kiss her babies?" Skye went up on her knees and peered in the box. "Does she love them all?"

Dio paused. "I think so."

"Does she remember to feed them milk?"

Dio nodded, glancing at Brooke. "She sure does."

"I bet she'll never leave her babies," murmured Skye. "She won't die, right?"

Brooke closed her eyes. She'd fielded similar questions before. Skye was curious about how other mothers acted because she could only remember certain things about her mom. Brooke had protected her from the ugly details surrounding her mother's death but had explained to Skye that her mom had an addiction, and that made her make bad choices when it came to everyone else in her life.

Later, if Skye needed to know, she would tell her more.

"I'll tell you a little secret," whispered Dio. "There's a lot of bikers around here, and all of them make sure the momma cat doesn't get out the door and run away. She's safe from danger in the clubhouse."

"Like Maverick takes care of me and Aunt Brooke." Skye whispered back, "Bikers are nice."

"Just like that." Dio glanced at Brooke, his gaze softening. "She accepts us."

She turned away. No one would convince her Maverick had her best interest at heart.

Maverick held her and Skye hostage.

Chapter Twenty

Maverick pulled the tarp off his Harley in the driveway. He itched to go for a ride. He'd driven Brooke's cage more than he'd had the opportunity to ride his motorcycle over the summer.

But he'd pick Skye every time if he had to choose between his bike or getting his daughter back. He'd pick Skye over the patch he wore on his vest, and that was admitting he'd rather die than be without his daughter.

Soon, the vest wouldn't be enough, and he'd need to break out his leather jacket. The weather was already changing. Most days were cloudy and drizzly—typical Northwest Coastal weather.

Time was getting away from him.

He couldn't complete plan A.

Brooke refused plan B.

All he had left was plan C, and he only had a few days to do it because school started in two weeks, and Skye would need to go.

A Havlin rider rode up. Then, another. He counted heads coming up the driveway. Five.

And, the Havlin truck brought up the rear.

Motion entered his peripheral vision. He turned and relaxed. Skye ran out of the house at the noise coming from the bikes. She used to squeal when she was little and heard the rumble of the bikes, but she wouldn't know that. But he never forgot.

He stayed back, letting her run and stand beside him. She slipped her small hand into his rough one.

Looking over his shoulder, he could see Brooke standing in the house in the open doorway. She'd eased up lately, letting Skye wander around outside and into another part of the house without jumping up and following, but she was always aware of what was going on.

Jagger turned off his bike, followed by Bane, Cord, Dio, and Rush.

Today was the day.

He was fucked if his plan failed.

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